Two individuals were recently convicted of involvement in a stabbing incident in which the actual perpetrator could not be definitively identified. Ashtin Ritzand and Colton Lischka were found guilty in connection to the death of James (Ed) Swift and the injury of Virginia Belhumeur, both of whom were stabbed in the neck during the altercation. The incident occurred on August 29, 2022, at a rural intersection near Saskatoon following a confrontation that began at an off-sale liquor store parking lot.
The court heard that Swift and Belhumeur were stabbed multiple times in the neck after an argument erupted during a car ride. The victims were left in a ditch while the others involved in the incident fled the scene. Ritzand, 32, and Lischka, 31, faced charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder but were ultimately found not guilty of these charges. Instead, they were convicted of manslaughter and aggravated assault.
During the sentencing arguments, the Crown prosecutor pushed for a 10 to 12-year sentence, emphasizing the severity of the offense and the traumatic nature of the victims’ experience. Belhumeur, in her victim impact statement, expressed ongoing fear and anxiety due to the incident, highlighting the lasting emotional impact on her life.
Defense lawyers for Ritzand and Lischka advocated for more lenient sentences, pointing out that neither of their clients was identified as the actual stabber in the judge’s findings. They emphasized that the severity of punishment should align with the level of culpability in the crime. Lischka’s lawyer proposed a four-year prison term, citing his client’s lack of criminal history and minimal involvement in the fatal altercation.
Ritzand’s lawyer recommended a seven-year sentence, including credit for time served and a conditional sentence order, followed by probation. Ritzand, who has been in custody since surrendering to the police, has reportedly engaged in self-improvement efforts during his time behind bars.
The sentencing decision for both individuals is expected to be delivered on January 30.